When will there be an announcement? What will be in it? Your theories

[gigger]

No. I think that they are still finalising the tour details. The negotiation period for arranging tours can be a little unpredictable sometimes.

I'd assume at this point they are still only negotiating with european promoters?

I hope this isnt a demand for more money on axl's end that is holding this up-he really doesnt have much bargaining leverage after 2002 ya know?

I think it's just a slower process than either Merck or Axl foresaw. There is no major problem, just slight hold ups.

[littleredcorvette]

Has it occured to anybody that since management confirmed that 2 albums will be complete when CD is released, and just weeks ago Axl said only 26 of 36 (or whatever) were complete, that this upcoming tour might simply be serving the purpose that the 2002 one was meant to i.e. to get the new band into playing the old material and give the fans a chance to get to know them. Back then even before the US leg of the tour Axl said on MTV "I don't know if soon is the word."

If, for instance, the first single comes out with the Da Vinci code in May, and the band play a handful of new songs at the shows, anticipation for the album would be stratospheric by late June.

These days lead singles usually hit radio weeks before an album comes out, sometimes even well over a month before, especially with really big artists.

Right now we're looking at late April at the very earliest but I think it's very unlikely it will be out before the summer tour, especially since a lot of songs are not done out of the ones he mentioned.

[NickNasty]

Has it occured to anybody that since management confirmed that 2 albums will be complete when CD is released, and just weeks ago Axl said only 26 of 36 (or whatever) were complete, that this upcoming tour might simply be serving the purpose that the 2002 one was meant to i.e. to get the new band into playing the old material and give the fans a chance to get to know them.

doubtful- b/c e saw what happens when you tour (especially in america) with no new album last time- it was a bad calculation on axl/merck's part. doubt theyd make it again

[littleredcorvette]

In addition: I think a lot of people here are overestimating how much the general record-buying public care about Chinese Democracy. In order to have strong initial sales Axl's gonna need more than a superb single and video and a bit of tv and magazine stuff. I think we can assume it's gonna be an prolonged absolute media blitz that builds up to the release and the shows will form part of that.

[littleredcorvette]

Has it occured to anybody that since management confirmed that 2 albums will be complete when CD is released, and just weeks ago Axl said only 26 of 36 (or whatever) were complete, that this upcoming tour might simply be serving the purpose that the 2002 one was meant to i.e. to get the new band into playing the old material and give the fans a chance to get to know them.

doubtful- b/c e saw what happens when you tour (especially in america) with no new album last time- it was a bad calculation on axl/merck's part. doubt theyd make it again

Dude, they're playing festivals with a guaranteed audience. 200,000+ at Lisbon, some stupid amount at Donnington, not US arenas. You can guarantee that a huge number of the people that see them at these fetival dates are gonna buy the album that wouldn't have otherwise. It's the best exposure they could have in the music world.

[WARose]

i suppose we`ll see what happens as always....

novarock was the breath of fresh air that we needed...  and no rumours were floating around before it was announced on their website...

[pilferk]

In addition: I think a lot of people here are overestimating how much the general record-buying public care about Chinese Democracy. In order to have strong initial sales Axl's gonna need more than a superb single and video and a bit of tv and magazine stuff. I think we can assume it's gonna be an prolonged absolute media blitz that builds up to the release and the shows will form part of that.

Look at the press from the leaked material....mainstream press type of stuff.  You can't BUY (well, unless you're the goverment) press like that!

Axl announces a release date and he's going to get all the free publicity he can handle for the short term.  Assuming the release date isn't too far off.....it could carry him through.

[littleredcorvette]

True. I'd love to believe we're gonna have the record within the next few months and a massive statement from Axl is coming in 48 hours and all that but after stepping back from all the recent craziness, common sense says the wait ain't over just yet.

[NickNasty]

Dude, they're playing festivals with a guaranteed audience. 200,000+ at Lisbon, some stupid amount at Donnington, not US arenas. You can guarantee that a huge number of the people that see them at these fetival dates are gonna buy the album that wouldn't have otherwise. It's the best exposure they could have in the music world.

Not saying that these festival dates wont help them in terms of sales-absolutely will! But like you said, when you play festivals, you have a guaranteed audience. there are no guarantees about an american audience showing up for solo dates-they'll want proof first-i.e. a record. guess im really talking about the sucess of this band in the context of the US- i think the album and tour will be recieved well in overseas no matter what-there seems to be a greater affinity for axl outside of the states.

[tHeElEcTrIcSiNtAr]

As for the United States, the album definetely needs to be out before they tour over here. Especially since what happened in 2002, it will make it harder to tour in the States.

[oldgunsfan]

No. I think that they are still finalising the tour details. The negotiation period for arranging tours can be a little unpredictable sometimes.

I'd assume at this point they are still only negotiating with european promoters?

I hope this isnt a demand for more money on axl's end that is holding this up-he really doesnt have much bargaining leverage after 2002 ya know?

trying to get llyod's of london to insure it

[TrueRock&Roll]

Where the hell is Merck?  Is he still "very sick"  or what?  I bet any other band with leaks would have an official word out the minute the leak happend

[speed_stone]

gnr isn't "most bands"

[Chief]

"very sick"? what are you referring to??

[FlashFlood]

gnr isn't "most bands"

i was about to say the EXACT same thing hahahaha

[speed_stone]

gnr isn't "most bands"

i was about to say the EXACT same thing hahahaha

great minds think alike

[faldor]

Most bands don't take 10+ years in between albums either.  I wouldn't expect anything close to the norm with GNR.

[-Jack-]

Axl's last press release was Tuesday March 30th 2004...

What am I going at?

TOMORROW IS TUESDAY!

Axl's press release tomorrow starts now. 

[killingvector]

Axl's last press release was Tuesday March 30th 2004...

What am I going at?

TOMORROW IS TUESDAY!

Axl's press release tomorrow starts now. 

i am anticipating one anytime now.  I think that the delay could be due to more shows that are being booked or some last minute legalities to worked out. My guess.

[NickNasty]

Kinda wish a had a magic 8 ball right now......

get these contracts signed and let's roll